Gastric Sleeve Surgical Procedure

This procedure is restrictive, meaning the size of the stomach is altered. The bariatric surgeon removes about 60 percent of the stomach by creating a tube out of the stomach using staples. The result is a small-sized stomach, which takes the shape of a "sleeve" or a "banana". A hormone produced in the stomach called Ghrelin makes people hungry, slows metabolism, and decreases the body's ability to burn fat. The gastric sleeve operation removes the section of the stomach in which Ghrelin is produced. The nonproduction of this hunger-related hormone results in preventing an increased appetite.

Advantages

Unlike gastric banding surgeries, no foreign objects are left in the body

Unlike gastric bypass, there is no bypass of the small intestines with the gastric sleeve, so all nutrients are absorbed with very little chance of absorption issues

Gastric sleeve can result in 30 to 60 percent excess weight loss within six months to one year of the procedure

The gastric sleeve procedure is believed to be safer for high BMI patients

Disadvantages

Weight may be regained over time because the stomach stretches

The gastric sleeve is non-reversible

Although preliminary results are promising, the gastric sleeve is a relatively new surgery

For more information about Flaget Center for Weight Loss Surgery call 502.350.5492.